Gophers football: Cedric Thompson is a willing leader on defense

Cedric Thompson was one of the best playmakers on the Gophers' defense last season, leading the team with 79 total tackles while starting 10 games. (Pioneer Press: Sherri LaRose-Chiglo)

Gophers football coach Jerry Kill didn't have to think about who would replace All-Big Ten defensive back Brock Vereen's leadership.

Cedric Thompson approached Kill eager to be that guy this offseason -- and it didn't take much convincing.

The senior safety had already proven himself on the field with a career-high 14 tackles and a fumble recovery in the Texas bowl loss to Syracuse last year.

"He played really well," Kill said. "He came in and talked to me. I think he realizes and seen what Brock's done, and he wants to do that. He's watched Brock's leadership. You don't have to be a screamer and a yeller."

But you have to be productive, too.

The 5-foot-10, 211-pound Thompson was one of the best playmakers on the Gophers' defense last season, leading the team with 79 total tackles while starting 10 games.

"I went into that bowl game knowing I needed to have a big game for my senior year," he said. "Before that game even happened, I was like, 'I'm going to go out here and play as hard as I can.' "

There are differences in his game that carried over to this spring. It was apparent when he had two interceptions in Tuesday's team drills, and when he had three straight deflected passes in 1-on-1 drills Thursday.

"I read receivers better," Thompson said. "I usually don't play man, but going into the (bowl) game, I said, 'I'm going to play man in this game and see where I'm at.

Advertisement

' So now I'm out here in spring playing man a lot. I'm a lot more comfortable."

Thompson asserts that how he played in the bowl game is "going to be every game next year, too."

But the Compton, Calif., native doesn't have a strong belief only in his own ability. He has been impressed with the maturity of junior safeties Antonio Johnson and Damarius Travis.

Johnson started six games last season and finished fourth on the team with 69 tackles. The 6-2, 208-pound Travis is starting to figure out how much of an impact he can make with his size and athleticism.

Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys called Travis the most improved defensive back from last year -- and a likely starter right now.

Travis credits Thompson for helping him grow.

"Cedric has a lot of experience on the field," Travis said. "He teaches technique and plays if you don't know something. He always got our back on everything."

Thompson was asked to take on additional responsibility early last season when Vereen had to switch to cornerback to make up for injuries. During one stretch of games, Thompson struggled with missed tackles. But he looked back at every game during the long break before the bowl game to correct those mistakes.

"He's the one who put the most work into the bowl game," Claeys said. "When we were down in Houston, that kid was always in the film room. It's always good when somebody works hard to see them have success."

Since the end of the season, Thompson admitted to Kill he was overwhelmed a bit with being responsible for making sure all of his defensive teammates were doing what they needed to.

"Cedric has taken over that role really well," junior cornerback Eric Murray said. "It was something not too many people wanted to do. You know everybody in college; they think you can't tell them anything. So it's a challenge."

There are similarities between Thompson and Vereen that help them lead.

"Brock was more of a quiet guy like me," Thompson said. "I keep things more conservative and in line."

BRIEFLY

Sophomore quarterback Mitch Leidner had his sharpest practice of the spring, including two touchdown passes in the red zone to junior wide receiver K.J. Maye.